Janie Dee to Headline London Premiere of Tony-Winning Comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Two-time Olivier-winning actress Janie Dee has been cast as Masha in the upcoming London-debut staging of Christopher Durang's 2013 Tony-winning play Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Tony winner Walter Bobbie will direct the production, set to play the Charing Cross Theatre beginning on March 21 ahead of a March 30 opening night.

Dee took home Olivier Awards for her turns in Carousel and Comic Potential, the latter of which she also appeared in off-Broadway, winning Theatre World and Obie Awards for her performance. Dee's London theater résumé also includes Olivier-nominated performances in Follies, My One and Only and NSFW, as well as roles in Hand to God, The Seagull and Blithe Spirit.

Inspired by the works of Chekhov, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike takes the playwright's classic characters and plotlines and transports them to modern-day Pennsylvania. Vanya and his adopted sister Sonia have lived their entire lives in their family’s farmhouse. Their sister Masha (played by Dee) has been gallivanting around the world as a successful actress and movie star, leaving Vanya and Sonia feeling trapped and regretful. Meanwhile, their soothsayer/cleaning woman Cassandra keeps warning them about terrible things in the future, which include a sudden visit from Masha and her twentysomething boytoy Spike.

The role of Masha was originated on Broadway by Sigourney Weaver.

London's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike will feature scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Emily Rebholz and sound design/original music by Mark Bennett. The production is scheduled to play a limited engagement through May 16.

Additional casting will be announced soon.